Improving cancer caregiver support through navigation training.

Abstract

285 Background: Caregivers play a critical role in cancer care but often experience significant stress, unmet psychosocial needs, and limited integration into care processes. The Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC) implemented a pilot training program to improve caregiver navigation capacity by emphasizing early identification of caregivers, assessment of their needs, and connection to supportive resources. Methods: MOQC developed and delivered a virtual Caregiver Navigation Training Series in partnership with the Rush University E4 Center. Each weekly session was 60 minutes and delivered weekly over 5 weeks. Topics included caregiver stress and burnout, compassion fatigue, grief and loss, cultural considerations, and unmet non-medical needs. Members of the MOQC Patient and Caregiver Oncology Quality Council (POQC) contributed to training development and shared lived-experience perspectives during each session. Participants included interprofessional oncology teams and POQC members. A pre/post survey assessed knowledge, confidence, and intended practice change, reported as percent agreement with key competencies. Results: Sixty-one participants attended ≥1 session; 41 pre-training and 28 post-training surveys were completed. Baseline awareness of caregiver importance was high (>90%), but confidence in applied skills was lower, including emotional distress management (75.6%) and accessing culturally appropriate resources (63.4%). Post-training results showed improvements across all applied domains with the largest gains in accessing culturally appropriate resources (+22.3 percentage points), responding to practical barriers (+18.6), initiating caregiver conversations (+18.6), and addressing non-medical needs (+16.1). Confidence in assessing caregiver needs and team-based advocacy increased (+14.9 each). Participants reported planned changes, including earlier screening, use of standardized tools, and more proactive caregiver engagement. Statistical testing was limited by sample size. Conclusions: A virtual training program improved oncology workforce preparedness to identify and support caregivers. Integrating caregivers and focusing on practical application facilitated meaningful intended practice changes. This model supports broader implementation of caregiver-centered care in oncology. Caregiver competency changes. Domain Pre %(n=41) Post %(n=28) Δ Culturally appropriate resources 63.4 85.7 22.3 Responding to barriers 70.7 89.3 18.6 Initiating caregiver conversations 70.7 89.3 18.6 Addressing non-medical needs 73.2 89.3 16.1 Assessing caregiver needs 78 92.9 14.9 Team-based advocacy 78 92.9 14.9 Emotional distress management 75.6 89.3 13.7 Grief and loss understanding 75.6 89.3 13.7 Caregiver communication 82.9 92.9 10 Percentages reflect “Agree,” “Somewhat agree,” or “Strongly agree.” Δ represents %-point change.